Sectional handle

ABSTRACT

A sectional handle structure is disclosed. The handle consists of one or more sections of elongated, narrow loops of rod-like material having at least one closed end. Each section has a plate rigidly secured to one end. The plate has means forming a track or slideway of a width and height to snugly and slidably receive the end of another section or an appropriate projection on a utensil. The plate also has a resiliently deflectable end equipped with a stop and latch means for accurately positioning the sections with relation to each other when joined and a latch means to resist separation in the absence of a force applied for the specific purpose of causing separation.

I United States Patent 91 [111 3,882,569

Vanderveer May 13, 1975 [54] SECTIONAL HANDLE ggiall et al. Q [75]Inventor: Fredric B. Vanderveer, Grand I oup Raplds PrimaryExaminerRichard J. Scanlan, Jr. [73] Assignee: Leigh Products, Inc.,Coopersville, Assistant ExaminerWayne L. Shedd Mich. Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga 22 Filed: Aug. 16, 1974 and [21] Appl.No.: 497,908 [57] ABSTRACT A sectional handle structure is disclosed.The handle [52] US Cl 16/114 R; 16/110 24/115 consists of one or moresections of elongated, narrow 403/188. 5 403/393 loops of rod-likematerial having at least one closed 511 Im. Cl. .f "1 16b 9/02 Swim hasa P19t6 rigidly Secured to one [58] Field of 24/115 H 81 16/110 A end.The plate has means forming a track or slideway R A 1 Of a Width and t0snugly and receive 109412 326 the end of another section or anappropriate projection on a utensil. The plate also has a resilientlyde- [56] References Cited flectable end equipped with a stop and latchmeans for accurately positioning the sections with relation to UNITEDSTTES PATENTS each other when joined and a latch means to resist 19093275 *2 2 separation in the absence of a force applied for the 1'33222?111334 2 335;5117;113:313 16,114 A Specific Purpose of causingSeparation- 2,637,884 5/1953 Morehouse 24/115 H 11 Claims, 13 DrawingFigures PATENTEB MAY 1 3 I975 SHEET 10F 2 PAIEmw m 1 3 $15 SHEET 2 OF 24a 37 35 zw M4 FIG. /3.

SECTIONAL HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates tosectional handles particularly those used on household utensils andsimilar articles.

Sectional handles have been known for many years and various types ofsectional handles are available. They are particularly useful inconnection with cooking utensils for camping and hiking where compactstorage is essential. More recently, the use of facilities having verylimited storage space, such as motor homes and trailers has focused muchgreater interest on the devices which permit compact storage. Even morerecently, the trend in housing toward condominiums and apartments hasmade it essential that the limited storage space available be used aseffrciently as possible. This is especially true in connection withutensils which are used only periodically such as barbecuing tools andpopcorn poppers.

Previously available sectional handles have had two particularlyundesirable characteristics. Such devices have been notoriously weak atthe joints between the sections whereby the sections have a tendency toseparate while in use. This is not only frustrating to the user but, income cases can be exceedingly dangerous, particularly if hot liquids fator the like are involved.

This lack of functionality arises from the fact that previously designedjoints for the sectional handles do not provide a rigid attachmentbetween the sections and also fail to provide a positive lock to preventunintentional separation of the sections at the joint. Where it has beenattempted to overcome this problem, the resulting product has beeneither too expensive or too cumbersome and heavy to be practical or inmany cases a combination of both undesirable characteristics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a handle,preferably consisting of an elongated loop of strong, rod-like material.The handle consists of one or more sections with each section having atone end, a plate spanning between and rigidly secured to the sides ofthe handle section. The plate, on each side, has ears bent over to forma trackway or slideway of a height and width to snugly and slidablyreceive the end of a similar section of handle or a projecting tab onthe utensil itself. This slideway is of substantial length and isparallel to the face of the plate. The plate also has a projectingtongue-like portion which, at one end, has an upturned stop and acooperating latch. The tongue is designed to be basically rigid butcapable of deflection when sufficient pressure is applied. The stop andthe latch cooperate to provide a lock whereby separation of the jointwill not occur unless sufficient force is intentionally appliedlengthwise of the handle to deflect this tongue enough to cause thelatch to release.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an oblique top view of autensil equipped with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the utensil with a sectional handleremoved;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of the utensil shown in FIG. 2 as viewedfrom the anchor pad end;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged exploded view of the joints of asectional handle as viewed from the bottom;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except it shows the joint with thetwo sections joined;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane VI-VI ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the plate portion of the joint;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the plane VIII- VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a modified form of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the plane XX of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a'fragmentary plan view of the plate portion of the jointshowing a modified form of the handle section;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary oblique view of a modified construction forthis invention; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the plane XIII- XIII of FIG. 12.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The numeral 10 indicates a utensil which,for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention, isshown as a corn popper. It is to be understood that this invention isnot limited to use with corn poppers or to use with any other particulartype of utensil. For example, the invention could be applied as thesectional handle for a fork, a hot dog roaster or a frying pan.

The utensil has a frame 11, which inthe preferred embodiment, isgenerally U-shaped, but may also be a closed loop. Secured to the frameand suspended within it is a web 12 of article supporting material. Theweb may be a solid sheet as illustrated or, as use demands, may be ascreen or perforated sheet, the choice of web material being irrelevantto this invention.

At one end, the frame 11 is shaped to have an outwardly projectingportion or anchor tab 13. The tab 13 has parallel sides 14 and a closedend 15. Preferably, the anchor tab 13 is downwardly offset from thegeneral plane of the remainder of the frame. The amount of the offset isgenerally that of the thickness of the sectional handle to be described.It is also contemplated within the scope of this invention that theanchor tab 13 could be inclined at a small angle either upwardly ordownwardly with relation to the general plane of the remainder of theframe.

The handle 20 to be used with the utensil 10 can consist of one or moresections, depending on the length desired. In the particular formillustrated in FIG. 1, the handle consists of three sections 20a, 20band 20c. These sections can be identical or as is illustrated in thecase of 20c, the end section can be formed with suitable stops 21 todefine the grip portion or, as is often done, to facilitate the mountingof some type of insulating material such as a wood block between thesides of the handle. This again is not part of the invention. Since, forthe purposes of this invention, a description of one section and of oneof the detachable joints by which the sections are joined together willsuffice to explain the invention only one of the joints 30 will bedescribed.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 10, the joint will be described. Thebody of each of the handle sections 20a or 20b consists of a loop ofrod-like material of sufficient cross section and rigidity to withstandthe loads imposed upon the handle during use. For this purpose, steelrod or heavy gauge steel wire provides a preferred material. The body ofeach of these sections is created by forming the rod-like material intoan elongated, narrow, generally U-shaped member 23 having a pair ofparallel spaced sides 24. As such, the body is generally an elongatedrelatively thin rectangular member with one end 25 closed and the otherend free or open. The body could be an elongated loop closed at bothends.

A plate 31 is secured to the sides of the body at the open end. Thisplate is formed from a suitable high strength material such as steelsheet, which under proper circumstances, has a limited degree ofresilient deflectability. The body of the plate extends between the twosides 24 of the handle section and along each side has a plurality oflaterally extending projections. In

the preferred form of this invention, these lateral projections aredivided into a pair of ears 32 spaced apart lengthwise of the plate sothat one is adjacent the forward or open end of the plate and the otheris adjacent the rear end of the plate. Between the ears 32, a portion ofthe plate is bent to lay firmly against the surface of the body of thehandle section and be secured to the handle by suitable means such aswelding 33. When welding is not used, a modified construction can beutilized, as indicated in FIG. 10, where the projections which are shownin FIG. 8 are wrapped completely around the sides of the section bodyand thus form a Wrapped joint. In this case, some type of mechanicallock, such as offset dimpling 39 should be used to prevent slippage ofthe plate along the handle body. Of course, if still further strength isdesired, both the fully wrapped construction and welding may be usedsimultaneously.

The ears 32 are bent upwardly andinwardly in a direction away from thebody of the handle section to form a slideway or trackway 34 (FIG. 8).The ears 32 cooperate with the main body of the plate 31 such that theslideway or trackway 34 they form with the body of the plate will snuglyand slidably receive the closed end 25 and the adjacent side portions ofanother section of the handle or the anchor tab 13 of the utensil. Inorder to join one handle section to another it is necessary that theclosed end of one handle section or the anchor tab 7 13 betelescopically inserted inthe trackway or'slideway by movement which isparallel to the plane of the plate because the snugness is such as toprevent anything but an accurate axial movement of the parts to occur.

The rearward end of the plate is narrowed so that it forms an elongated,rearwardly projecting tongue 35, the sides of which are spaced from andunattachedto the sides 24 of the handle section. This tongue 35 forms acantilevered, rearwardly extending projection which because of thenature of the material from which the anchor plate is formed has alimited degree of resilient, deflectability when sufficient force isapplied to it. The rear end of f the tongue 35 is turned downwardly,that is, in the direction of offset of the ears 32. It thus forms a stop36 extending partially across and blocking the end of the trackway orslideway 34. Also on the tongue, and spaced forwardly of the stop 36 isa latch member 37 which, in the illustrated, preferred embodiment, is adepending dimple 37. The spacing between the dimple 37 and the stop 36is such that when two sections of the handle or the handle and the tab13 on the utensil are joined the closed end 25 of one section ispositively trapped between the dimple and the stop member, as isillustrated in FIG. 5. In order to do this, sufficient telescoping forcemust be applied to the two hanlock, preventing accidential orunintentional sliding separation of the joint. This is most important inpro-" f. A

viding a positive, secure and dependable joint. I

The remainder of the body of the plate 31 provides a rigid and positiveconnecting web between the'sides 24 of the handle section to which it ismounted. To further reinforce this plate and to prevent any tendency ofthe plate to deflect, except in the tongue portion 35, an

elongated central bead 38 is provided which extends substantially thefull length of the mainbody portion of I A the plate. This head isoffset upwardly where it will not interfere with the sliding, telescopicengagement ofthe 77 two sections. Its length is such that it preventsany typev of wave-like deflection of the main body portion, thus,

positively confining deflection to thetongue portion I where it isessential to the latching action.

As is shown in FIG. 1 the preferred arrangement of this invention iswith the plate arranged on the bottom side of the handle section towhich it is permanently secured. Thus, when two handle sections arejoined the handle section telescoped into the slideway, as forexample,handle section 20a as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, lies immediatelybeneath the body of the plate. This arrangement is a preferred onebecause when the han-. dle is used the forces imposed on the joint tendto press. the closed end 25 further against the tongue 35 and thus evenmore firmly into the trappedposition be tween the latching member 37 andthe stop 36. When so used, even though continued usage or misusage mayslightly open the passageway formed by the ears32, the

latch will continue to function in a positive manner, thus preventingaccidental telescopic disengagement, a fault commonly encountered insectional handle 'constructions of conventional design. However, thejoint created by this invention is. of sufficient strengthand Idurability that, if used in inverted position, if will still j provideall of the advantages and functional improvements of this invention. 7 7

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a modified form of this'invention inwhichcomponents similar to those illus trated in FIGS. 4 and 5 have likenumbers. In thiscase, the plate is similar in function, and basically inform, to the plate 31, the only difference being that instead of havingears 32 which terminate just inwardly, oflthe sides 24 ofthe handlesection, the metal of the plate is I I I formed into a tube-likestructure 31a forming an enclosed slideway or passageway 34a at eachend. Wheref the tube-like structure substitutes an arch 40 for the ears32, it may be further reinforced by suitable offset beading 41 tofurther stiffen the structure. This type of an arrangement may bedesirable if the invention isto be applied to exceptionally heavy loadsor is to be used under abusive conditions. Although such a constructionwould be more expensive, it incorporates the principles of theinvention. i

It will be seen that this invention provides a positive, high strengthjoint by which sectional handles may ,be'

attached to a utensil or the varioussections of the handle joined one.to another. The invention provides a de tachable and/or sectional handlewhich is dependable and durable without undue complicationand excessiveI manufacturing costs. It is also relatively lightweight and thus isparticularly suitable for conditions where weight is an important factorsuch as in camping and in hiking.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustratedtogether with two modifications, it will be understood that variousother modifications may be made of the invention without departing fromthe principles of the invention. It is intended that such modificationsencompassing the invention be included unless the hereinafter appendedclaims specifically state otherwise.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A separable joint for a sectional article support, each section ofsaid article support being an elongated, narrow loop of rod-likematerial having at least one closed end; a plate rigidly secured to oneface of one of said sections at the end thereof remote from said closedend; said plate opposite from said one section to which it is secured,having means forming an elongated trackway parallel to said one sectionof a height and width to snugly and slidably receive the closed end ofthe other of said sections; said plate having a forward end and arearward end, said forward end being adjacent the end of said onesection; and rearward end having a rearwardly projecting tongue spacedfrom the sides of said one section; a cooperating stop and latch meanson said tongue; said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby saidstop and latch means can detachably engage the closed end of said othersection.

2. A separable joint for a sectional article support, each section ofsaid article support having a pair of elongated, spaced, generallyparallel rod-like members joined together at one end; a plate rigidlysecured to one face of both of said members at the other end of each ofsaid sections; said plate opposite from said members to which it issecured, having means forming an elongated trackway parallel to saidmembers of a height and width to snugly and slidably receive the one endof another section; said plate having a forward end and a rearward end,said forward end being adjacent the end of said one section; saidrearward end having a rearwardly projecting tongue spaced from both ofsaid members of said one section; a cooperating stop and latch means onsaid tongue; said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby said stopand latch means can detachably engage said one end of said othersection.

3. A separable joint for a sectional article support, each section ofsaid article support being an elongated, narrow loop of rod-likematerial having at least one closed end; a plate having laterallyextending portions on each side; said plate being rigidly secured to oneface of one of said sections at the end thereof remote from said oneclosed end; said plate, on each side having ears projecting out of theplane of said plate oppositely from the section to which said plate issecured; the free ends of said ears being bent over to extend towardeach other generally parallel to said plate and forming an elongatedtrackway of a height and width to snugly and slidably receive said oneclosed end of the other of said sections; the end of said plate remotefrom the free end of the section to which the plate is secured having astop for engaging the closed end of said other section; latch means fordetachably holding said closed end against said stop.

4. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 3 wherein said ears are spaced lengthwise of said plate; the sidesof said plate, between said ears being wrapped around the sides of saidone section for securing said plate thereto.

5. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 3 wherein said ears are spaced lengthwise of said plate, the sidesof said plate between said ears being shaped to seat against the sidesof said one section and welded thereto.

6. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 3 wherein said latch means is an upstanding dimple spaced fromsaid stop the thickness of said one closed end of said other section.

7. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 3 wherein said plate at the end thereof remote from the free endof the section to which it is attached has a tongue extending lengthwiseof said section in the plate of said plate, said tongue being spacedfrom the sides of said section to provide a resiliently deflectableprojection on said plate, said stop and latch means being located onsaid tongue whereby said latch means can be deflected to pass the closedend of said other section over it.

8. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 7 wherein a bead is formed in said plate extending lengthwisethereof in the portion of said plate between said ears and offsetoppositely from said ears.

9. A separable joint for a sectional article support as described inclaim 3 wherein the other end of each of said sections is open and saidplate forms a rigid cross web between the free ends of the sides of thesection at said open end.

10. An article having a sectional handle, said article comprising: aframe for the article, said frame being a closed loop of rod-likematerial; said frame having one portion projecting outwardly therefromto provide a narrow generally U-shaped frame supporting anchor tabhaving parallel sides and a closed end; the body of said handle being anelongated, narrow loop of rod-like material having at least one closedend; a plate rigidly secured to one face of said handle and spanning thewidth between its sides; said plate on the face opposite from saidhandle body having means forming an elongated trackway parallel to saidhandle and of a height and width to snugly and slidably receive theclosed end of said anchor tab; said plate having a forward end and arearward end, said forward end being adjacent the end of said handle;said rearward end having a rearwardly projecting tongue spaced from thesides of said handle; a cooperating stop and latch means on said tongue;said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby said tab can beinserted into said slideway until it passes over latch means and engagessaid stop to secure said closed end of said anchor tab to said handle.

11. An article as described in claim 10 wherein said anchor tab isoffset downwardly from the remainder of said frame.

1. A separable joint for a sectional article support, each section ofsaid article support being an elongated, narrow loop oF rod-likematerial having at least one closed end; a plate rigidly secured to oneface of one of said sections at the end thereof remote from said closedend; said plate opposite from said one section to which it is secured,having means forming an elongated trackway parallel to said one sectionof a height and width to snugly and slidably receive the closed end ofthe other of said sections; said plate having a forward end and arearward end, said forward end being adjacent the end of said onesection; and rearward end having a rearwardly projecting tongue spacedfrom the sides of said one section; a cooperating stop and latch meanson said tongue; said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby saidstop and latch means can detachably engage the closed end of said othersection.
 2. A separable joint for a sectional article support, eachsection of said article support having a pair of elongated, spaced,generally parallel rod-like members joined together at one end; a platerigidly secured to one face of both of said members at the other end ofeach of said sections; said plate opposite from said members to which itis secured, having means forming an elongated trackway parallel to saidmembers of a height and width to snugly and slidably receive the one endof another section; said plate having a forward end and a rearward end,said forward end being adjacent the end of said one section; saidrearward end having a rearwardly projecting tongue spaced from both ofsaid members of said one section; a cooperating stop and latch means onsaid tongue; said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby said stopand latch means can detachably engage said one end of said othersection.
 3. A separable joint for a sectional article support, eachsection of said article support being an elongated, narrow loop ofrod-like material having at least one closed end; a plate havinglaterally extending portions on each side; said plate being rigidlysecured to one face of one of said sections at the end thereof remotefrom said one closed end; said plate, on each side having earsprojecting out of the plane of said plate oppositely from the section towhich said plate is secured; the free ends of said ears being bent overto extend toward each other generally parallel to said plate and formingan elongated trackway of a height and width to snugly and slidablyreceive said one closed end of the other of said sections; the end ofsaid plate remote from the free end of the section to which the plate issecured having a stop for engaging the closed end of said other section;latch means for detachably holding said closed end against said stop. 4.A separable joint for a sectional article support as described in claim3 wherein said ears are spaced lengthwise of said plate; the sides ofsaid plate, between said ears being wrapped around the sides of said onesection for securing said plate thereto.
 5. A separable joint for asectional article support as described in claim 3 wherein said ears arespaced lengthwise of said plate, the sides of said plate between saidears being shaped to seat against the sides of said one section andwelded thereto.
 6. A separable joint for a sectional article support asdescribed in claim 3 wherein said latch means is an upstanding dimplespaced from said stop the thickness of said one closed end of said othersection.
 7. A separable joint for a sectional article support asdescribed in claim 3 wherein said plate at the end thereof remote fromthe free end of the section to which it is attached has a tongueextending lengthwise of said section in the plate of said plate, saidtongue being spaced from the sides of said section to provide aresiliently deflectable projection on said plate, said stop and latchmeans being located on said tongue whereby said latch means can bedeflected to pass the closed end of said other section over it.
 8. Aseparable joint for a sectional article support as described in claim 7wherein a bead is formed in said plate extending lengthwise thereof inthe portion of said plate between said ears and offset oppositely fromsaid ears.
 9. A separable joint for a sectional article support asdescribed in claim 3 wherein the other end of each of said sections isopen and said plate forms a rigid cross web between the free ends of thesides of the section at said open end.
 10. An article having a sectionalhandle, said article comprising: a frame for the article, said framebeing a closed loop of rod-like material; said frame having one portionprojecting outwardly therefrom to provide a narrow generally U-shapedframe supporting anchor tab having parallel sides and a closed end; thebody of said handle being an elongated, narrow loop of rod-like materialhaving at least one closed end; a plate rigidly secured to one face ofsaid handle and spanning the width between its sides; said plate on theface opposite from said handle body having means forming an elongatedtrackway parallel to said handle and of a height and width to snugly andslidably receive the closed end of said anchor tab; said plate having aforward end and a rearward end, said forward end being adjacent the endof said handle; said rearward end having a rearwardly projecting tonguespaced from the sides of said handle; a cooperating stop and latch meanson said tongue; said tongue being resiliently deflectable whereby saidtab can be inserted into said slideway until it passes over latch meansand engages said stop to secure said closed end of said anchor tab tosaid handle.
 11. An article as described in claim 10 wherein said anchortab is offset downwardly from the remainder of said frame.